Dr. Conrad Murray A Free Man Again

According to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. … Murray was released at 12:01 AM Monday — however, he did not make a triumphant walk out of jail … choosing, instead, to sneak out away from photogs who had gathered.

By remaining unseen … Murray obviously knows he raises the price tag of that coveted first interview with him.

A group of hecklers was clearly irritated they were not permitted to voice their disdain face-to-face — and took it out on Murray’s lawyer, Valerie Wass. As for why the L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. made the accommodation to keep Murray’s release secret … all they would say is “safety” and “security.”

The good doc has been locked up since November ’11 after being convicted of manslaughter. He was sentenced to 4 years in prison … but 2 is normal for a 4-year sentence.

As we previously reported … Murray plans to try and get his medical license back in Nevada and block revocation in California — our sources say he doesn’t stand a chance.

He’s also looking to hire a publicist once he’s out — to help change his image.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The doctor convicted of killing Michael Jackson was released from jail Monday after serving nearly two years of a four-year sentence.

Conrad Murray was released from a downtown Los Angeles jail at 12:01 a.m., according to the sheriff’s office. The 60-year-old left from the back door of the jail in a police cruiser.

The former cardiologist was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 2011 of causing Jackson’s death in June 2009 by providing the superstar with an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid.

He was sentenced to four years in prison but is now a free man after only serving two years.

A change in California law allowed his incarceration time to be significantly cut down. Murray’s lawyer said he was released early due to credit for time served.

Murray was allowed to serve his entire sentence in an L.A. jail rather than state prison due to a law aimed at easing overcrowding by shifting nonviolent offenders to local lockups.

“If you weren’t so ignorant, you would know that he wasn’t convicted of murder,” Murray’s attorney, Valerie Wass was heard telling an angry protestor. “He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, which is a crime of negligence.”

“It should have been murder,” the protestor replied.

Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50 as he was getting ready for the “This Is It” concert series at London’s O2 Arena. Murray was serving as his personal physician for the series of comeback concerts. An autospy found that he died of acute propofol intoxication.

As a result of the conviction, the 60-year-old former doctor has had his medical license suspended in California, Texas and Nevada.

Lawyers for Murray have filed petitions to have his medical license reinstated.

Murray’s prospects are uncertain as his face and name are well known due to his association with Jackson and his highly-publicized involuntary manslaughter trial.

The former doctor is appealing his conviction, although an appeals court has questioned whether it needs to hear the case. Wass has argued that the court should not dismiss the appeal because it could alter his overall sentence and reduce some of the stigma his conviction has caused.

Wass said Murray was hopeful he would be vindicated on appeal.

“He’s going to fight it. I think it will be very difficult in California if they uphold the judgment,” Wass told ABC News. “He’s very hopeful. He’s going to practice medicine somewhere is my understanding. … He’s prepared to go to federal court to fight.”

Despite being jailed, Murray has not been entirely silent. Audio recordings of his calls have been posted on celebrity website TMZ and the ex-doctor told the Today show that he cried tears of joy after a civil jury recently determined that the promoters of Jackson’s comeback shows did not negligently hire Murray.

He did not, however, testify in the civil case or take the stand during his criminal trial.

Conrad Murray sneaks out back door from jail

A camera man waits out side to get shots of Conrad Murray who was released from the Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail early Monday morning, later to find out he was gone by 12:01 am. Murray, 60, left from the back door of the jail in a police cruiser shortly after midnight local time. Murray’s lawyer says he is not being released due to good behavior, but rather credit for time served. Murray was given an additional day of credit for every day he served. In 2011, Murray was sentenced to four years in jail for involuntary manslaughter after he treated Michael Jackson with the powerful surgical anesthetic drug propofol. Los Angeles CA.October 28,2013. Photos by Gene Blevins/LA Daily News

Valerie Wass attorney for Conrad Murray tells the press that Murray was released from the Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail early Monday morning by 12:01 am. Murray, 60, left from the back door of the jail in a police cruiser shortly after midnight local time. Murray’s lawyer says he is not being released due to good behavior, but rather credit for time served. Murray was given an additional day of credit for every day he served. In 2011, Murray was sentenced to four years in jail for involuntary manslaughter after he treated Michael Jackson with the powerful surgical anesthetic drug propofol. Los Angeles CA.October 28,2013. Photos by Gene Blevins/LA Daily News

News crews wait out side to get shots of Conrad Murray who was released from the Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail early Monday morning, later to find out he was gone by 12:01 am. Murray, 60, left from the back door of the jail in a police cruiser shortly after midnight local time. Murray’s lawyer says he is not being released due to good behavior, but rather credit for time served. Murray was given an additional day of credit for every day he served. In 2011, Murray was sentenced to four years in jail for involuntary manslaughter after he treated Michael Jackson with the powerful surgical anesthetic drug propofol. Los Angeles CA.October 28,2013. Photos by Gene Blevins/LA Daily News

Anti protesters of Conrad Murray wait outside with signs at the Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail early Monday morning, later to find out Murray was gone by 12:01 am. Murray, 60, left from the back door of the jail in a police cruiser shortly after midnight local time. Murray’s lawyer says he is not being released due to good behavior, but rather credit for time served. Murray was given an additional day of credit for every day he served. In 2011, Murray was sentenced to four years in jail for involuntary manslaughter after he treated Michael Jackson with the powerful surgical anesthetic drug propofol. Los Angeles CA.October 28,2013. Photos by Gene Blevins/LA Daily News

Valerie Wass attorney for Conrad Murray tells the press that Murray was released from the Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail early Monday morning by 12:01 am. Murray, 60, left from the back door of the jail in a police cruiser shortly after midnight local time. Murray’s lawyer says he is not being released due to good behavior, but rather credit for time served. Murray was given an additional day of credit for every day he served. In 2011, Murray was sentenced to four years in jail for involuntary manslaughter after he treated Michael Jackson with the powerful surgical anesthetic drug propofol. Los Angeles CA.October 28,2013. Photos by Gene Blevins/LA Daily News

LA County PR Steve Whitmore tells the press that Murray was released from the Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail early Monday morning by 12:01 am. Murray, 60, left from the back door of the jail in a police cruiser shortly after midnight local time. Murray’s lawyer says he is not being released due to good behavior, but rather credit for time served. Murray was given an additional day of credit for every day he served. In 2011, Murray was sentenced to four years in jail for involuntary manslaughter after he treated Michael Jackson with the powerful surgical anesthetic drug propofol. Los Angeles CA.October 28,2013. Photos by Gene Blevins/LA Daily News

LA County PR Steve Whitmore tells the press that Murray was released from the Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail early Monday morning by 12:01 am. Murray, 60, left from the back door of the jail in a police cruiser shortly after midnight local time. Murray’s lawyer says he is not being released due to good behavior, but rather credit for time served. Murray was given an additional day of credit for every day he served. In 2011, Murray was sentenced to four years in jail for involuntary manslaughter after he treated Michael Jackson with the powerful surgical anesthetic drug propofol. Los Angeles CA.October 28,2013. Photos by Gene Blevins/LA Daily News